A Kiribati National Disaster manager says some people on the southern islands are deciding to move permanently inland, fearing more destructive tides, and coastal erosion.
Big waves rendered disastrous damages to Betio Hospital in Kiribati, leaving it flooded with seawater and in a disarrayed state. Photo: Kiribati Ministry of Health
Tides of more than 2.9 metres flooded low-lying Kiribati islands at the end of February, with Cyclone Pam exacerbating problems, particularly on the southern islands.
Kiribati damaged causeway 16x10 Photo: Supplied
On Tamana island, which has a population of about 850 people, 65 households were destroyed, and more than 100 damaged.
The Kiribati National Disaster Manager, Michael Foon, says some still need assistance to rebuild, and others are still deciding whether to stay in their new inland settlements.
"Some people are scared to move back, fearing that another event will happen in the future. Some however find that the piece of land or the plot that they've been staying in, in the village for quite awhile, is being eroded away by sea. It's getting smaller and smaller, it makes more sense to stay in the middle of the island where it's more safer than risking their properties to coastal erosion."
Michael Foon says the priority for the southern islands following Cyclone Pam is ensuring they have access to safe drinking water.
